Proceeds Support Life-Saving Treatments Pioneered at the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Pictured at the “All In” for Kids Poker Tournament is Madeline Bell, CHOP president and CEO, and Phil Hellmuth, Jr., poker legend With support from poker legend Phil Hellmuth, Jr., WPT Anchor Lynn Gilmartin and co-founder Dan Shak, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the WPT Foundation’s “All In” for Kids Poker Tournament raised nearly $700,000 to benefit The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The winner of the tournament was Antonio Rodriguez, co-founder of Cibeles Capital Advisors.

Sponsored by The Gitlin Family Foundation, proceeds from the “All In” for Kids Poker Tournament support the hospital’s Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, one of the largest, most active programs of its kind in the region. The Division provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art care and intestinal rehabilitation to children with a wide range of common and complex conditions, including inflammatory bowel diseases, liver diseases, celiac disease, chronic nutritional disorders and feeding and swallowing disorders. Division faculty are actively involved in innovative clinical trials and numerous research projects that have changed the course of treatment for thousands of children.

“Each year, we are proud to partner with the World Poker Tour Foundation on this important and exciting event,” said Madeline Bell, president and CEO of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “We especially thank the Gitlin Family Foundation for their support, as well as all of the physicians and staff in CHOP’s Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, who work tirelessly every day to provide our patients with excellent care.”

WPT President and CEO Adam Pilska added, “In three years with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, WPT Foundation has proudly helped raise more than $2.3 million to help CHOP provide the most advanced child healthcare available. CHOP remains the preeminent pediatric hospital in the world, nurturing many of the nation’s pioneers and innovators in pediatric medicine, and WPT Foundation is honored to support such a devoted group of doctors, nurses and researchers that are fully dedicated to finding cures and treating illnesses and injuries specific to children.”

Held at New York City’s Mandarin Oriental on Friday, Nov. 6, in partnership with the WPT Foundation, the “All In” for Kids Poker Tournament brought together more than 275 guests, including celebrities, athletes, grateful patient families, doctors and other CHOP supporters. Participating professional poker players included Andy Frankenberger, Brian Hastings, Jamie Kerstetter, Lynn Gilmartin, Scott Baumstein and Angel Guillen. Other celebrities included New York Giants Offensive Guard Justin Pugh and Phillies Broadcaster Gregg Murphy.

About The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation’s first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children’s Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefitted children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 535-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents.

About WPT Foundation

WPT Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to utilizing World Poker Tour's exceptional international platform to influence positive change on a global scale. The core of WPT Foundation's fundraising efforts is the ongoing series of philanthropic poker events titled WPT Playing for a Better World. WPT Foundation and its associated charity events help bring awareness and raise critical funds for non-profit programs of excellence. This philanthropic effort is dedicated to improving our planet by supporting key charities in regards to human rights, education, world hunger and the environment.